RIP IX mini reviews: Carrie; Half a King; Countdown City

“Nobody was really surprised when it happened, not really, not at the subconscious level where savage things grow. On the surface, all the girls in the shower room were shocked, thrilled, ashamed, or simply glad that the White bitch had taken it in the mouth again. Some of them might also have claimed surprise, but of course their claim was untrue. Carrie had been going to school with some of them since the first grade, and this had been building since that time, building slowly and immutably, in accordance with all the laws that govern human nature, building with all the steadiness of a chain reaction approaching critical mass.

What none of them knew, of course, was that Carrie White was telekinetic.”

I’ve never dared to see the 1976 movie – and wouldn’t really bother with its 2013 reincarnation – but it’s so present in popular culture that I pretty much know what it’s about. But the religious aspect of it surprised me. I wasn’t quite expecting that.

I think it was more of a sad read than a scary one. Sad that a girl can be brought up that way. Painful to read of the bullying that went on.

Prince Yarvi has vowed to regain a throne he never wanted. But first he must survive cruelty, chains, and the bitter waters of the Shattered Sea. And he must do it all with only one good hand.

The deceived will become the deceiver.

Born a weakling in the eyes of his father, Yarvi is alone in a world where a strong arm and a cold heart rule. He cannot grip a shield or swing an axe, so he must sharpen his mind to a deadly edge.

The betrayed will become the betrayer.

Gathering a strange fellowship of the outcast and the lost, he finds they can do more to help him become the man he needs to be than any court of nobles could.

Will the usurped become the usurper?

But even with loyal friends at his side, Yarvi finds his path may end as it began—in twists, and traps, and tragedy.

Patrick Rothfuss told me to read Half A King and so I did.

Not personally of course! I follow his reviews on Goodreads and that was enough to pique my curiosity.

And it was a great read. Lots of fun in a rollicking good way. It’s quite a swashbuckling adventure although it hardly begins that way.

I’ve never read any of Joe Abercrombie’s books before and this one is apparently his first young adult fantasy. It was a fun read and I’m curious now about his non-YA books.

Countdown City – Ben H Winters

“On October third, seventy-seven days from today, the asteroid 2011GV1, 6.5 kilometers in diameter, will plow into planet Earth and destroy us all.”

This is the second book in the Last Policeman series. He isn’t technically the ‘last’ policeman around, as we do meet quite a few others that remain on the force. But he tries. He really does. Even when the case is as futile as a missing person. Because in his universe, the world is about to end soon. And pretty much definitely. A giant asteroid is heading their way and even if the impact doesn’t kill most people, the aftermath will. So plenty of people have left their homes and families and lives to go “Bucket List”. I suppose one could call this is a pre-apocalyptic series?

“Martha knows all of this. Everybody knows. The world is on the move. Plenty still leaving in droves on their Bucket List adventures, going off to snorkel or skydive or make love to strangers in public parks. And now, more recently, whole new forms of abrupt departure, new species of madness as we approach the end. Religious sects wandering New England in robes, competing for converts: the Doomsday Mormons, the Satellites of God. The mercy cruisers, traveling the deserted highways in buses with converted engines running on wood gas or coal, seeking opportunities for Samaritanship. And of course the preppers, down in their basements, hoarding what they can, building piles for the aftermath, as if any amount of preparation will suffice.”

The Last Policeman #3, World of Trouble, was released this year. I’m looking forward to reading it!